Thomas MARICHAL
The transmission of knowledge to future generations, by making links with scientific advances in the field on the one hand, and the practice of veterinary medicine on the other, seems to me to be an essential role of a university teacher.
Thomas MARICHAL, Associate Professor in the field of General Physiology and Physiology of Systems. Picture: ©Michel Houet
T
homas Marichal graduated from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Liège in 2007. Although he was planning on a career in veterinary practice, he was attracted by fundamental scientific research in the field of immunology and quickly started a doctoral thesis at GIGA under the supervision of Professor Fabrice Bureau. These years of thesis having revealed a real passion for Research, he decided to continue his research training during a 3-year postdoctoral stay at Stanford University in California. "Upon my return in 2014, I reintegrated the GIGA Institute where I began supervising doctoral students and research projects related to immune mechanisms that regulate homeostasis in the pulmonary mucosa and the development of allergic asthma, a major public health problem."
Combining research and teaching
Thomas Marichal became F.R.S-FNRS Research associate in 2016, which gave him the keys to acquire his scientific independence on the one hand, and to transmit his passion and knowledge to young researchers on the other. He also obtained several major research funds (Welbio, ERC) that enabled him to establish his own research laboratory. His research has also received several scientific awards, including the Acteria Early Career Prize in Immunology and Allergology (2015), the AstraZeneca Foundation Asthma Award (2018) and the Théophyle Gluge Prize from the Royal Belgian Academy of Sciences (2019). Since 2016, he has also been involved in the teaching of Physiology at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. "Animal physiology is a cornerstone of the scientific, clinical and medical training of veterinary students. Teaching physiology is above all about being able to convey a message to students about a subject that is certainly exciting, but also overwhelming. The transmission of knowledge to future generations, by making links with scientific advances in the field on the one hand, and the practice of veterinary medicine on the other, seems to me to be an essential role of a university teacher."
Upcoming projects
In the future, Thomas Marichal wishes to continue to share his passion for research and pursue fundamental research of excellence by promoting scientific honesty and integrity, respect for others and well-being at work. In addition, he has a unique opportunity to revive his identity as a veterinarian by deploying a research laboratory applied to veterinary medicine. He is also committed to serve students by contributing to quality, coherent and transversal undergraduate education. Finally, the integration of the academic corpse will enable him to become more involved in the faculty and institutional life, aware of the rights and duties that flow from it.
